Katy Van Hook

I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback over the past few weeks in response to my last post about why getting a PhD takes so long (and thank you so much for that) but in reviewing it I’ve decided that I need to swing the balance a bit more toward center with regards to the grad school good. So in response I’ve decided to write this week about the reasons why getting a PhD wins … Read More

One of my least favorite things about being a grad student is the frequency with which I am asked the following question, “So how much longer do you have until you’re done?” It is seemingly a very polite and innocuous question right? The problem is that as a grad student this is what I hear, “Why aren’t you done yet, lazy?” There is of course a healthy dose of my own special brand of anxiety … Read More

Happy New Year folks, I hope the holidays were relaxing and recharging for everyone. I for one am having withdrawals after spending a week having my parents feed me mercilessly while binging on the wonders of cable TV—can you say ‘Hoarders’ marathon?! At any rate, I’m looking forward to 2011 as a year of progress in all realms of life. There are lots of exciting goings-on at work and I am simultaneously excited and stressed … Read More

It’s that time of year again when things keep getting added to my ‘to do/to buy’ list and my willingness ‘to do’ or ‘to buy’ is sorely lacking. If only they made advent calendars filled with money and motivation…now there’s a thesis idea. So in an effort to procrastinate further I’ve made a list of my recommended DOs and DON’Ts during the holiday season here at OHSU and in Portland: DO attend as many departmental … Read More

I recently had a friend describe getting a PhD as “like spending 6 years herding cats.” I’m not sure a better analogy has ever been made. As you picture the mania and frustration that would accompany such a feline round-up I want you to add into it that at the end you have to stand up in front of a crowd and justify the feat. As I presumably get closer to my nebulous endpoint I am getting … Read More

In order to understand my favorite experience from first year you’ll need a little background about me. I had spent the two years preceding graduate school as far from academic science as you can get as I had been working in Nevada as a waitress. The time away from academia was a good choice for me because it solidified my dedication to continuing graduate education and research, but I was completely unprepared for how nervous … Read More

StudentSpeak

Ever wondered what life is like as a student at OHSU? What does it take to become a researcher? Just how gross is gross anatomy? Welcome to the blog that answers these – and many other – questions. It’s students writing first-hand about their commitment to careers in science and health care. It’s honest about the challenges as well as the joys. It’s not always pretty. But it is our story. Thank you for sharing it with us. And please, let us know what you think.